Summer Illuminations: July 24-31

Experience the magic of the Noto’s illumination events this summer!

1. Misogigawa Festival 御祓川まつり, Nanao; July 24
2. Noto Peninsula Northernmost Illumination 能登半島最北端の灯り, Suzu; July 24
3. The Eve of the Tale of Orihime Summer Festival 織姫夏ものがたり前夜祭, Nakanoto; July 30

Restaurant Review: Sanuki no Udon-ya Hatabou and Café Moritat

さぬきのうどんやはた坊、カフェモリタート

Winter is the season for steaming bowls of noodles, and, for me, that means udon. But why settle for udon from a general restaurant with a food-ticket vending machine when you can get it from a restaurant that specializes in it? Nanao’s Sanuki no Udon-ya Hatabou, an udon-ya (udon shop), has some of the best udon I’ve ever had in Japan. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is simple and airy. The menu is all in Japanese, but you can preview it on their website; there are pictures of the different types of meals in the shop, too.

Bukkake udon with kabocha and shishitou tempura

I recommend the basic bukkake udon served hot with ala cart kabocha and shishitou tempura. Prices go from 600-1000 yen for a bowl depending on what style and toppings you get. Call ahead if you have a large group.

Amazing hot cocoa at Cafe Moritat

Café Moritat is in the building connected to the udon-ya. The café’s specialty is homemade cheesecake and coffee, but the real star of Café Moritat is, in my opinion, the hot cocoa. For 500 yen and a 20 minute wait, you can have a cup of fresh homemade cocoa made with real chocolate and real whipped cream. This is hands down the best cocoa I have ever had.

Leah Zoller is a first-year CIR in Anamizu and doesn’t mind waiting 20 minutes for cocoa this good.

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